<!--[if gte vml 1]>
<![endif]-->A historic ground breaking ceremony for the Animas-La Plata (ALP)
Project, Navajo Nation municipal pipeline was conducted on September 11^th
in Farmington, New Mexico. Complete with gold-painted
shovels, the ceremony was attended by a host of representatives involved in the
ALP project and included remarks from Bob Johnson, Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) Commissioner,
as well as Joe Shirley, President of the Navajo Nation. In addition, special
recognitions were given to Rick Ehat, BOR Project Construction Engineer for the
ALP Project.

Meanwhile,
work on the Animas-La Plata Project continues to proceed at an impressive rate
and pumping into the reservoir could start as early as the Spring of 2009. In August, clearing of trees and shrubs along the
future County Road (CR) 211 near Lake
Nighthorse began. When
complete, CR 211 will pass along the north end of the future lake. The road was
designed under a cooperative agreement between the Bureau of Reclamation
(Reclamation) and La Plata
County and will be
located entirely on Reclamation land, in an area that is currently closed to
the public. The work being performed avoids impacting migratory birds and
culturally sensitive sites. It is anticipated work on the road will be complete
in late 2009 or early 2010.

In a related effort, Reclamation's Western
Colorado Area Office is currently in the process of reviewing a license agreement
for the La Plata West Water Authority (LPWWA) intake structure, water treatment
plant, and utility corridor at Lake
Nighthorse. When the
license agreement is approved, LPWWA can proceed with the construction of these
important components of what will eventually be a rural water supply system
serving the western part of La
Plata County.
For additional details concerning the Animas-La Plata
Project, visit Reclamation's web site at www.usbr.gov/uc.